Hello Stewards,
I am so excited to be stepping into this role with the Watershed Stewards Academy community. My career has been shaped by a deep belief that everyone deserves meaningful access to nature and a voice in shaping the places we call home. Over the past 15 years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside partners such as the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, Chesapeake Conservancy, Friends of Acadia National Park, and the George Washington University School of Engineering. I’ve also been fortunate to collaborate with community-led initiatives in South Baltimore, including work at Masonville Cove – the nation’s first Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership – and with the South Baltimore Community Land Trust. Across each of these experiences, my focus has been the same: building partnerships that expand access to public lands, elevate underrepresented voices, and strengthen community resilience.
Some of the work I am most proud of includes launching the Bilingual Ranger Program with NPS and Maryland State Parks, designing equity-centered trainings for mission-driven nonprofits across the country, guiding strategic planning for Friends of Acadia and GWU Engineering, and facilitating community-driven projects in South Baltimore. Along the way, I’ve also been honored to serve as a Chesapeake Regional Environmental Leadership Program Fellow and to share my work at conferences such as the Chesapeake Watershed Forum and Naturally Latinos. Whether supporting national public lands programs, higher education initiatives, or grassroots environmental justice work, I’ve sought to create spaces where more people feel seen, valued, and connected to the truth that we are nature, and that caring for our world is caring for ourselves and each other.
What excites me most about joining WSA is the chance to bring this experience closer to home, in service of you, the Stewards. This network has an incredible legacy of creativity, leadership, and care for our local watersheds. My goal is to nurture collaboration and creativity as you continue shaping healthier, more resilient communities.
Best, always,
Gaby Roffe